Common Core State StandardL.CCS.1/2/3/4 Grades 6-12: Video of a current news event is presented for discussion to encourage student participation, but also inspire the use of evidence to support logical claims using the main ideas of the video. Students must analyze background information provided about a current event, draw out the main ideas and key details, and review different opinions on the issue. Then, students should present their own claims using facts and analysis for support.

News Video for: 09/30/2019

17 States Sue Trump Administration Over Endangered Species Act Rules

Seventeen states are suing the Trump administration over its new guidelines for the Endangered Species Act. They argue the changes "significantly weaken" the law, which has provided protections to more than 1,600 kinds of animals and plants. It will be harder for officials to consider climate change's effects on wildlife when deciding whether or not to list them for protection. It will also be easier to remove species from the list. And threatened species will see weaker protections, too

Class discussion: Are the U.S. rules to protect endangered animals and plants too weak or too strong? Why would the administration want to change the way the Endangered Species Act is enforced? Who would it help? How many species have gone extinct over the last century? Are human beings driving the other species to extinction? Are we destroying habitat? Do you care if other species die off? Could the extinction of other plants and animals eventually threaten the existence of human beings?